First Steps to Rationalize Host-Guest Interaction between α-, β-, and γ-Cyclodextrin and Divalent First-Row Transition and Post-transition Metals (Subgroups VIIB, VIIIB, and IIB).

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides mainly composed of six, seven, and eight glucose units, so-called α-, β-, and γ-CDs, respectively. They own a very particular molecular structure exhibiting hydrophilic features thanks to primary and secondary rims and delimiting a hydrophobic internal cavity. The latter can encapsulate organic compounds, but the former can form supramolecular complexes by hydrogen-bonding or electrostatic interactions.